Movable sun shade system

Abstract

The sun shade system is for use over window panes, skylights and the like in homes, offices, greenhouses, and other applications. The system includes a plurality, preferably a pair, of parallel tracks disposable on opposite sides of a window or skylight or on window mullions, a plurality of shade carriers secured to and riding in the tracks and a flexible, foldable, resilient sun shade secured along its length to spaced ones of the carriers for movement with the carriers along the tracks. A shade mover such as a hand cord brake assembly or a motorized roller and cord assembly is also provided for urging the shade to a desired location relative to the tracks. Each track may be rectangular in cross-section, and curved or straight along its length, receives the shanks and rollers or slides of the carriers and includes an end stop. Each carrier can include a hook insertable through openings in the shade. A partition can be provided in the track to restrict oscillation of the rollers or slides and shank therein. The system is well adapted for use with a variety of straight, curved and angled windows.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An improved moveable shade system in combination with a window, skylight or the like which lies in multiple planes, which planes lie at an obtuse angle with respect to one another, said window, skylight or the like including a first substantially vertically extending section and a second section inclined thereto forming said obtuse angle, each of said sections being supported by frame means in the form of mullions, said system further comprising, in combination: (a) a plurality of substantially parallel, continuous spaced tracks lying in said multiple planes and mounted on said mullions, said tracks having significant lengths thereof lying respectively in each of said first and second sections, said tracks including a smoothly curved portion defining a transition portion between said sections;   (b) a plurality of shade carriers secured to and freely moveable along said tracks;   (c) a shade secured to said carriers adapted to move with said carriers along said tracks;   (d) shade urging means connected to said shade for urging said shade and carriers along said tracks from a first lowered position to a second raised position, and   (e) retaining means for securing and maintaining said shade in said second position,   (f) means for facilitating said shade to return to said first position by force of gravity when said retaining means is released and said shade urging means is deactivated.   
     
     
       2. The improved shade system of claim 1 wherein each of said tracks comprises a substantially closed rear wall, closed side walls and a front wall having an opening adapted to receive a portion of each of said carriers. 
     
     
       3. The improved shade system of claim 2 wherein each said track is generally rectangular in cross section and includes a transverse partition to restrict oscillation of said carrier in said track. 
     
     
       4. The improved shade system of claim 3 wherein each of said carriers comprises a hook which fits through openings in said shade, a shank connected to said hook and extending into said track through said track opening, and wherein said facilitating panes include rollers connected to said shank for easy riding of said carrier in said track. 
     
     
       5. The improved shade system of claim 4 wherein each said track includes a track stop to prevent slipping of said rollers from said track. 
     
     
       6. The improved shade system of claim 1 wherein said shade urging means comprises at least one cord extending from adjacent one end of said shade to the opposite end of said shade, and a cord brake through which said cord passes, for releasably securing said cord in a desired shade-holding position. 
     
     
       7. The shade assembly of claim 1 and further including a plurality of transversely extending, substantially rigid, shade support members disposed along the length of said shade, said carrier members secured to and supporting said support members which, in turn, support said shade. 
     
     
       8. The shade assembly of claim 1 wherein said tracks have a longitudinal opening extending along said tracks, said opening being adapted to receive said carrier members therein, and wherein said openings face away from said window, skylight or the like.